11

Amy

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

The sound of my phone vibrating underneath my pillow woke me from my post-morning shift nap. Groaning, I blindly reached under my pillow and grabbed my phone. "Hello," I answered groggily.

"Hey," Jet's voice sang into her ears. "Are we still on for tonight? You haven't been answering my texts."

I glanced at the time on my phone. "Sorry. I fell asleep after I got home from work. I didn't realize how late it was.

"It's okay. We don't have to go out tonight if you don't want to."

"No, no," I said. "I want to. Just give me an hour or hour and a half to get ready."

"Alright. I'll call you when I'm outside."

"Okay. Bye." I hung up with a sigh. Reluctantly, I dragged myself out of bed and trudged into the bathroom. The last thing I wanted to do was go out tonight, but I wasn't in the mood to hear Jet's mouth. All he could talk about this week was our date tonight. His excitement was cute at first, but by Thursday afternoon, I was sick of his bragging. He told me he was going to take me to yet another expensive restaurant, and he got us tickets to the new Marvel movie. I don't know what reaction he was expecting, but he seemed disappointed that I wasn't super hype about our plans. Honestly, I would've been more than happy just hanging out in the house and watching a scary movie on Hulu. It was freezing outside, and I would've loved to cuddle up inside. But, I'd make the most out of our outing - even if it was just to make him happy.

After my steaming hot shower, I threw on a black long sleeved bodysuit, a burgundy cotton Sonici skirt, and a pair of black booties with a small heel. As I was applying my mascara, I heard a soft knock on my room door. "Come in," I replied.

My fathers appeared behind the door. I could see them from my spot in the mirror. Papa raised an eyebrow at my attire. "Going out tonight?" He asked.

"Yeah. Another date with Jet." I glanced at the small frown on Daddy's usually grinning face. "Is everything okay? I can cancel if I need to."

"No, no, baby girl," Daddy said. "We just needed to talk to you about something. But it can wait."

I paused my movements, setting my mascara down and turning around to face them. "Tell me."

"Wyatt's been calling us," Marc explained. "He says he needs to speak with you."

"I don't have anything to say to him."

"He's your brother, princesa. At least hear what he has to say."

"No," I snapped, turning around. "I heard everything I needed during the trial."

"Amy, put the trial aside. He was young, and she was his mother."

"She was my mother too!" I yelled. Tears pricked the back of my eyes at the acknowledgement. My scars burned underneath my clothes at the recollection of my time with her. Of her cruel words. Her wicked scowl. Her sinister eyes. Her punishments. I took a deep breath, pulling in all the misery that threatened to seep out at the thought of that evil woman. "He made a decision to choose her," I stated calmly. "Now, he has to live with it."

Benny slowly approached me, his large hand reaching out to wipe away the invisible tears falling from my eyes. "No one is asking you to forgive him," he said. "We're just asking for you to hear him out. Okay?"

I peered up into his gentle brown eyes. "I'll think about it."

He pecked a soft kiss at my forehead. "Thank you." He moved aside so Marc could give me a soft hug.

"Be safe tonight, chiquita," he murmured.

"I will," I promised.

As if on cue, my phone started buzzing. I glanced down to see Jet's name splattered across the Caller ID. "I've gotta go," I told my fathers. "I'll be back by eleven. I love you, both." I gave them both a peck on the cheek before hurrying out the door.

Jet was leaning against the front steps, clad in a black trench coat and black dress pants. He whistled at the sight of me. "Wow, aren't you the most beautiful girl I'd ever laid eyes on?"

I feigned a smile as his arms snaked around my waist. His lips dipped down to my cheek, pecking kisses across my jawline towards my neck. Cautiously, I brought my hands up and pressed my palms against his chest.

Grinning, he raised his head. It was only a second before he ducked his head back down, slamming his lips against mine. He kissed me hungrily, as if he was trying to consume me whole. His tongue flicked against my lips, and his teeth pulled roughly at my bottom lip.

Instead of butterflies, my stomach rolled uneasily from his passionate kisses. Firmly, I pushed at his chest. "Jet," I mumbled against his kisses. "Can we just…go?" I asked.

His once vibrant smile dimmed. "Yeah, sure. My bad." He grabbed my hand and led me down to his humming navy blue Mazda. He opened the door for me.

I forced another smile in his direction as I slid into the car. I silently reminded myself that it wasn't his fault that I was in a bad mood. It wouldn't be fair to him to be in this sour mood all night. I'd have to keep up this happy charade until it was time to go home. As if that wasn't already part of our routine. Still, that small sliver of hope in my heart wished that maybe tonight Jet could make me feel something real and true for him. I didn't doubt he'd spend the entire night trying. Maybe it wasn't a bad thing. Maybe it was the distraction I needed.

During dinner, Jet didn't seem to mind my quiet demeanor. He was content essentially talking to himself, accepting my nods and "mhmms" as acknowledgements I was listening. Honestly, I don't even know what he was babbling about. My mind kept drifting into the storm clouds hovering over my brain, falling victim to the harsh winds and cold rain. Memories of my childhood threatened to come to the surface, and I did everything in my power to keep them at bay. I could deal with the feelings of darkness. Of loneliness. Of pure agony. But, I couldn't deal with the mini movies of all the things I'd endured. Not right now. Not when I had a facade to uphold.

Pretending was a little easier during the movie. The dark theatre and the loud hums of the speakers reminded me of all the nights I fell asleep with the television on. I leaned my head against Jet's shoulder and imagined we were laying in my bed, curled up underneath my covers. That's all I really wanted from one of these dates with him. Just the two of us eating junk food and watching movies. While being wined and dined was nice, it just wasn't me. It reminded me a little too much of the lifestyle I used to live - and I absolutely hated it. When I moved in with Marc and Benny, I left the world of fancy dresses, expensive restaurants and high-profile locations behind me. They introduced me to a world of simplicity. One where Marc painted flowers on my bedroom walls and Benny created mouth watering meals out of random items in our fridge. One where parents actually cared for their children - loved and nurtured them. One that I'd prefer to stay in.

On the ride home, I sat patiently in the passenger seat as Jet drove through the city. I was more than ready to lay in my bed and forget I existed for a few hours. My mind was filled

with thoughts of drinking hot tea, burning my favorite apple cinnamon candle, and simply laying in bed. My fantasy carried me for a few minutes as I counted down the minutes until it would become reality.

My brows came together as Jet made an abrupt turn, leaving us in the opposite direction of my house. I cautiously glanced over at him. "Um, Jet," I murmured. "My house is the other way."

"I know," he replied.

"Then where are you taking me? I want to go home."

"Shh, baby girl." He set his hand on my thigh and gave it a soft squeeze. "Just relax."

I stared at the tiny smirk on his face for a moment. I don't know what he was up to, but I really was not in the mood for it. I just wanted to go home. Reaching into my purse, I grabbed my phone. I briefly scrolled through my contacts until I found the number I was looking for. My finger hovered over the call button as Jet pulled up to a small cliff that overlooked the city. On a normal night, I may have thought the scene was beautiful. But tonight something was off. The moon was nowhere to be found. The stars were covered by the thick fog in the sky. Even the city's skyline was dim, covered with the same clouds hiding the stars.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Some of the guys call it 'Lover's Peak'," Jet replied simply. "Lots of the kids from school come here when they want to be alone. It's fine." He briefly exited the car and climbed into the backseat. He patted the space next to him. "Come here."

"Jet, I want to go home."

"And I'll take you home. Just come here. We'll only stay a few minutes if you want."

"I want to leave now."

"Amy, don't be a buzzkill. Just come here and act like my girlfriend for more than five seconds. Can you do that?"

I sighed, silently accepting my fate for the next few minutes. I could pretend for just a few more minutes. It wouldn't kill me.

I climbed into the backseat and leaned into his open arms.

He threw his arm over my shoulders, bringing me close to him as he pressed his lips against my cheek. His lips trailed soft kisses around my face and jaw, slowly traveling to my neck.

At the faint touch of his tongue and lips on my skin, I brought my shoulders up. "Hey," I whispered.

He stared at me for a brief moment, his usually soft and kind eyes darkening with an emotion I'd never seen on him before. His lips threatened to pull into a sly smile as he leaned in to kiss me. It started gentle, sweet, and cautious - like most of our kisses. But after a few moments, his lips quickened against mine. His tongue eagerly asked for entrance against my lips. His fingertips gripped my hips, gently pushing my body towards the seat cushions. He lay me down against the leather seats as his lips finally left mine and drifted down towards my neck. His hands claimed every inch of my torso, squeezing and caressing every curve he could find.

I pressed my hands on his chest again, ready to push him off if I needed to. "Jet," I called. "Stop, please."

He scoffed, immediately pulling away. "Are you serious right now?"

"Yes. I don't want…this. I want you to take me home."

"Wow," he said with a nod. "After all these years of chasing you, you're telling me this isn't what you want?"

"No one asked you to chase me."

"No one asked you to lead me on. Waving your little boy toys around and coming right back to my doorstep when you were finished with them."

"I wasn't leading you on. I like you, but it's just-"

"You don't like me," he snapped. "You just like the attention. Just like every other fucking tease in our school."

I pushed him off of me. "I am not a tease. I don't owe my body to you because you're nice to me."

A devious smirk appeared on his face. "After all this time, I'm at least owed a blowjob."

"Oh, fuck you, Jet!" I yelled. I opened the door and climbed out of the car. I hit the call button on my phone as I walked away from his car.

"Are you okay?" He answered after the third ring.

"Yeah," I said, blinking back the tears poking behind my eyes. I held up my middle finger as Jet drove past in his car. Fuck him and his nice guy act. "Can you pick me up?"